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Over the last two and a half years, my office has held three town hall meetings to hear directly from the community on what the name Lee District means to them. Through these discussions, I've learned that for many of our neighbors, the name Lee District invokes images of the Old Gravel Pits, footsteps along the boardwalk at Huntley Meadows, or pride in the history of Laurel Grove School.
However, for others, the name Lee stands for the most recognizable confederate figure in history, General Robert E Lee. I also learned that the overwhelming majority of those who participated in this year-long process support changing the name of this district.
After considering the feedback that my office has received from the community, the recommendations from the Redistricting Advisory Committee, and after much contemplation, it is my personal conclusion that the time has come to change the name of our district.
This Tuesday, I will be introducing a Board Matter requesting that my colleagues join me in voting to adopt Franconia as the new name of our district. The name Franconia was the overwhelming preference for those who participated in this process.
Franconia is a name that is synonymous with our community. From Franconia Road, the Franconia Springfield Metro, the Franconia Museum, and the Franconia Governmental Center, the name Franconia has always been central to our identity. It is also a name that memorializes a place and not a person.
Thank you to the hundreds of constituents that wrote letters, sent emails, called our office, and participated in our three town halls. I look forward to bringing this motion to the Board on Tuesday and beginning this new chapter in our community.
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